May 29, 2023: Today marks the 16th International Everest Day and the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. On this day in 1953, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first individuals to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Commemorating this historic climb, the 70th anniversary is celebrated as the “Platinum Jubilee” of the Everest ascent. The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has organized grand programs in Nepal to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Everest expedition.
Under the leadership of Secretary Suresh Adhikari from the Ministry of Tourism, a main organizing committee comprising representatives from various tourism-related institutions has been formed to make the day grand. According to the program, an official ceremony will be held at the Nepal Tourism Board in Thamel after a morning procession from Thamel.
Renowned climbers, tourism entrepreneurs, and representatives from government agencies, including the Employees’ Provident Fund, participated in a meeting at the Board’s premises in Bhrikuti Mandap. During the program, medals will be awarded to climbers and various mountaineers. In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Everest ascent, Mohan Lamsal, the Secretary-General of the NMA, informed that the first climbers would be honored with medals.
As part of the Platinum Jubilee of the Everest Expedition, special programs will also be organized in Khumjung of Solukhumbu and Kathmandu. According to the former President and Chief Advisor of NMA, Ang Tshering Sherpa, a program will be held in Khumjung to honor the families of Tenzing Sherpa and Hillary. The official program in Khumjung will be followed by a separate program organized by the NMA in Kathmandu on June 1.
The Kathmandu program will include a rally, felicitation, and a gala dinner in honor of the climbers. Ang Tshering Sherpa, who is also well-informed about the Himalayas, mentioned that through the Platinum Jubilee program of Sagarmatha, Nepal’s identity would be promoted internationally.
Nepal is home to eight mountains over eight thousand meters, including the highest peak, Mount Everest. So far, approximately seven thousand domestic and foreign mountaineers have successfully climbed the highest summit. During the climbing expeditions, more than three hundred lives have been lost. Alongside the climbs to Everest, climbers have set numerous new records. Kami Rita Sherpa has climbed Everest 28 times, establishing a world record. He broke his own record by reaching the summit of Everest twice within the span of a few days, on May 15 and May 21. Similarly, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa has climbed Everest 27 times, setting new records.
Harimaya Budha, who lost both legs, also achieved a world record by successfully climbing Everest this season. On May 5, he reached the summit of Everest and became a record holder. According to the Department of Tourism, over a hundred and seventy climbers have climbed Everest this season. This climbing season started on April 30 and has seen the highest number of climbers granted permission. The Mountaineering Section of the Department provided climbing permits to 478 climbers, including 313 men and 165 women.
